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Congress Bans Internet Gambling

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by KenH, Sep 30, 2006.

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  1. Terry_Herrington

    Terry_Herrington New Member

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    Why, because you say so? I have yet to read any bible verse that condemns gambling.
     
    #121 Terry_Herrington, Oct 2, 2006
  2. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    I too, see no Biblical mandate against gambling. Like anything else, moderation is the key. I may gamble during the course of a year less than $100 (if that), and that is pure entertainment budget. I set an amount, and don't go over it. Just last week on a business trip, I stopped by a casino on the way to the airport in St. Louis, played the slots for about 30 mins, won $150 and left. Started with $10. No one was harmed, no one suffered, and I bought a few minutes entertainment. If I had lost my $10, well it was just entertainment expense. Now if that had been $10 I needed to eat on, that is a different story.
     
    #122 Magnetic Poles, Oct 2, 2006
  3. UnchartedSpirit

    UnchartedSpirit New Member

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    What was so entertaining about it and was it sinful? Possible thrills were

    THe prospect of unearned money, which would be greedy?

    The prospect of losing something (the theme in that al pachino film "one for the money")-which may be sinful?

    THe blurry graphics of the slot (that could be trippy i guess, no)?

    what else?
     
    #123 UnchartedSpirit, Oct 2, 2006
  4. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    What is so entertaining about other ways to have used my $10 bill:
    • Bowling
    • Movie
    • Book
    • CD
    Entertainment is entertainment; a way to occupy a few leisure moments. I earn my money, and I am free to do with it as I please (but as I have noted above, I am not a big gambler at all...don't like the risk). I don't understand the idea that winning a few bucks is bad. If you think that, no one is forcing you to place any bets. I'll give you that slot machines are nothing but a game of chance. However, there are games that make you use you head along with an element of chance, that present a mental challenge. Things like poker, blackjack, etc. The element of skill is actually more entertaining than the "one armed bandit", but regardless if you find it entertaining or not, many others do. So, I tell you what...if by some fluke I happen to buy a lotto ticket that wins big (fat chance of that, eh?), I won't send you any of that "devil's money". :)
     
    #124 Magnetic Poles, Oct 3, 2006
  5. Baptist in Richmond

    Baptist in Richmond Active Member

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    You are correct: I too believe that gambling is a sin. HOWEVER, this is America, and I acknowledge that there are some people out there who don't subscribe to our shared view on gambling.

    Regards,
    BiR
     
    #125 Baptist in Richmond, Oct 3, 2006
  6. UnchartedSpirit

    UnchartedSpirit New Member

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    so gambling brings about arrogance...well as long as I get the record straight on what I wish I could judge you on....
     
    #126 UnchartedSpirit, Oct 3, 2006
  7. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    "Judge not, lest ye be judged." - Jesus of Nazareth
     
    #127 Magnetic Poles, Oct 3, 2006
  8. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    BTW, no one seems to be able to cite any Bible verses that substantiate that all gambling is sinful. Therefore, it is merely opinion.
     
    #128 Magnetic Poles, Oct 3, 2006
  9. UnchartedSpirit

    UnchartedSpirit New Member

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    I said wish I could judge, and no one should have the rights of opinions either, since everyone opioniates against me!
     
    #129 UnchartedSpirit, Oct 3, 2006
  10. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    An excellent post, MP.

    Unfortunately, there are some folks in this country who have earned the description of the "American Taliban".
     
    #130 KenH, Oct 3, 2006
  11. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    An excellent point, Terry. As you see, no one can provide such a verse.
     
    #131 KenH, Oct 3, 2006
  12. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    An excellent column.

    Anti-Gambling Crusade a Bad Bet
    by Radley Balko

    Radley Balko is a policy analyst at the Cato Institute.​


    Online gambling is already illegal in the United States. Proprietors of gaming sites are all incorporated overseas. Yet Internet wagering is still a $12 billion industry.

    History has shown us that prohibiting private, consensual behavior has never made that behavior go away. Because consensual crimes take no victims, vice laws are difficult to enforce. Police have to use informers and undercover work and sometimes need to break the very laws they're trying to enforce.

    Consequently, America's various attempts at prohibiting sinful behavior have bred corruption, organized crime, black markets and significant erosion of our civil liberties. The story's no different with gambling.
    Here are the three chief reasons why Congress' latest vice crusade is misguided:

    Feds not our baby-sitter
    It's naked hypocrisy
    It won't work

    - rest at www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6002
     
    #132 KenH, Oct 3, 2006
  13. The Galatian

    The Galatian New Member

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    Gambling is a pernicius thing that in a few unfortunate individuals, causes a devastating addiction that ruins lives.

    That being said, Ken is right. It won't work. Never has. And if history is any guide, it will make things worse.
     
    #133 The Galatian, Oct 4, 2006
  14. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

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    Ken, thanks for posting that article link. It is spot on.
     
    #134 Magnetic Poles, Oct 4, 2006
  15. UnchartedSpirit

    UnchartedSpirit New Member

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    I'm sorry for being so hateful. I'm benn going the bully method because I'm going to hell over my vices so I'm taking it out on everyone else's.
     
    #135 UnchartedSpirit, Oct 4, 2006
  16. DeeJay

    DeeJay New Member

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    That is because the Republican party and most of the people who identify themself as Republican are far from Condervatives. The Bush admin. is about where FDR was on the left right scale.
     
    #136 DeeJay, Oct 4, 2006
  17. DeeJay

    DeeJay New Member

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    Ken is right in this thread.

    Gambling in it self is not a sin.
    It is not the govrements job to outlaw things that do not infringe on others liberty. And it is a wast of tax money and law enforcement time. It is unenforcable.

    The indirect side effects of gambling hurting people that some have listed can be applied to almost anything. So the goverment should outlaw overtime for workaholics sports for sportfans TV for tv watchers etc. etc. Oh and if I can show that any family has been hurt by religion or religious ideas then you better outlaw churches also.
     
    #137 DeeJay, Oct 4, 2006
  18. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Congress’ online gambling bill cuts Internet firms’ stock value
    Oct 4, 2006
    By Tom Strode
    Baptist Press     WASHINGTON (BP)--Congress approved legislation restricting Internet gambling just before beginning a lengthy recess, prompting a major shakeup in the online wagering world.

    News of the congressional action sent online gambling companies into a tailspin when stock markets reopened Oct. 2. Shares of PartyGaming, the largest of the Internet firms, decreased 58 percent on the London Stock Exchange, with the company losing about $3.8 billion of its market capitalization in the process, according to The New York Times. Another online company, 888 Holdings, saw its shares fall 26 percent on the same day, The Times reported.

    Both companies, which are based in Gibraltar, said they would halt transactions with American bettors if Bush, as is expected, signs the bill into law. PartyGaming receives 78 percent of its income from the United States, The Times reported.

    The Senate and House of Representatives passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in the early hours of Sept. 30. Both houses approved the measure as part of a bill to provide protection for America’s ports, with the Senate passing it by a voice vote and the House in a 409-2 roll call

    http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=24100
     
    #138 Revmitchell, Oct 4, 2006
  19. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    People are resourceful. A way(s) will be found around this ban.
     
    #139 KenH, Oct 4, 2006
  20. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

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    :applause:

    From LP.org


    Press Releases
    Congress Chooses to Legislate Morality with Internet Gambling Ban


    (Washington, D.C.) Over the past weekend, a bill was passed by Congress that essentially bans Internet gambling within the United States.

    Tennessee Senator and supposed presidential hopeful, Bill Frist, snuck the legislation into a port security bill which passed with only two dissenting votes. The new regulations, which will go into effect when George W. Bush signs the bill, will ban wire transfers to online gaming companies.

    Supporters of the legislation accuse online gaming companies of being involved in money laundering operations and, according to the Washington Post, even fronts for terrorist groups.

    "This goes beyond the absurd," exclaimed Shane Cory, executive director of the Libertarian National Committee. "Using the supposed War on Terror in defense of this legislation designed to legislate morality is sickening. Using this same reasoning, Congress should close Vegas as 9/11 Hijacker Mohamed Atta made a least two trips to the 'Sin City' before setting out to murder thousands of Americans."

    In addition to citing money laundering and terrorism as excuses for the new Internet restrictions championed by Republican politicians, proponents also state that online gambling targets children and gambling addicts.

    "Once again, we see politicians in Washington attempting to protect us from what they see as wrong in this world. I have news for them: Americans are smart people who can take care of themselves AND their children," continued Cory. "In restricting Internet activities, I think it would make much more sense to ban instant messaging within Congressional offices rather than ban the online hobbies of millions of tax-paying citizens." :applause:

    The Libertarian Party is working to stop poor legislation such as the ban on Internet gambling by electing principled and reasoned Libertarian leaders to public office at the local, state and federal levels of government.

    :applause:
     
    #140 KenH, Oct 4, 2006
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